On December 13, 2025, the New York Knicks lifted the Emirates NBA Cup after a 132-120 win over the Orlando Magic in Orlando. It was fast, loud, and full of shot-making. It was also very clear who set the tone. Jalen Brunson was the best player on the floor from the jump, and the Knicks rode his steady hand all the way to the cup.

With the win, New York moved to 18-7 on the season. Orlando, now 15-11, pushed hard, but could not slow the Knicks’ late surge. This was a showpiece game for the league’s midseason event, and the Knicks looked ready for the moment.

Brunson’s 40 sets the championship tone

Brunson ran the game. He scored 40 points and added 8 assists and 4 boards, and he did it with control. He hit floaters, step-backs, and tough drives. He only needed two made threes to get to forty, which tells you how easily he got downhill and how smart he was with his pace.

Every big possession seemed to find him. When Orlando closed the gap, Brunson answered. When the Knicks needed a clean look, he created it. The eight assists mattered too. He kept the ball moving and punished help with simple, sharp passes. This was lead-guard basketball at a high level, and it came on a big stage.

“Is Brunson a top-five guard now—or simply the Knicks’ heartbeat?”

Karl-Anthony Towns’ efficiency changes the math

If Brunson was the driver, Karl-Anthony Towns was the engine humming under the hood. Towns scored 29 points on 9-for-11 shooting, including 2-for-4 from deep, and grabbed 8 rebounds. That kind of efficiency bends defenses. It opens lanes for guards and forces big men to make choices they don’t want to make.

Towns spaced the floor and hit timely shots, but he also finished strong inside. His mix of size and touch gave New York a reliable second pillar. In a cup final, that second scorer can be the difference, and it was here. The Magic had no easy answers once Brunson and Towns got in rhythm together.

Orlando’s push: Suggs shines, and the effort is real

Credit to the Magic. They kept throwing counters, and Jalen Suggs carried a big load. He put up 26 points with 7 assists, driving the action and keeping the crowd engaged. Suggs’ growth showed in this game. He attacked, he set up teammates, and he competed on every trip.

The highlights also showed helpful moments from others on both sides—names like Bridges, Bane, Carter, and rookie Richardson popped up in key plays. Orlando’s record is still strong at 15-11, and the fight they showed in a cup final should serve them well as the season goes on.

“The Magic are closer than people think—Suggs plays with a fearless gear.”

Why this cup matters for New York

Some will call it a midseason trophy. The Knicks won’t care. Winning the Emirates NBA Cup gives them proof of concept. It builds habits. It builds belief. It also adds shine to a strong 18-7 start.

This is a group with a clear identity: Brunson leads; Towns gives elite spacing and power; the rest of the rotation fits around them. The cup run showed that the plan works under pressure. Games like this grow trust, and trust wins in spring.

Numbers that tell the story

• Final score: Knicks 132, Magic 120.
• Jalen Brunson: 40 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 threes.
• Karl-Anthony Towns: 29 points (9-11 FG, 2-4 3P), 8 rebounds.
• Jalen Suggs: 26 points, 7 assists.
• Records: Knicks 18-7; Magic 15-11.

“This felt like a playoff game—New York had answers for every push.”

How the game flowed

The pace was quick, and both teams made tough shots. Brunson cut up the middle of the floor with floaters and step-backs. Towns punished single coverage and picked spots to pop out to three. Orlando kept clawing, led by Suggs’ drives and playmaking. But each time the Magic closed in, the Knicks found a calm finish. That composure is often the separator in tight, high-energy games.

What’s next for both teams

For New York, the cup is fuel. The next stretch of the regular season comes with confidence and a clear plan: lean on Brunson’s control, keep Towns in rhythm, and defend with discipline. For Orlando, this is a lesson wrapped in a bright sign. They competed at a high level, and their young core keeps stacking real minutes. That pays off later.

In the end, the Knicks owned the moment. A cup is a cup—earned, not given—and New York earned this one with star play at the top and steady poise all night.